Differentiation – What It Is and What It Is Not

In the field of education we know that one size does not fit all.  Teachers must be aware of the developmental readiness, varying background knowledge, learning styles, and interests of the divers students in the classroom.  Effective teachers use meaningful tasks to deliver content, modify processes, and create open-ended assessment measures to gain information and structure goals for continued growth.  This use of differentiated instruction is the teacher’s response to the specific needs of each unique learner.  Differentiation is not just another educational buzz word.  Let’s examine a little further.

Differentiation is knowing the students and responding to their individual needs.  Differentiation is not a ready-made plan that will work the same way in every classroom.

Differentiation is flexible grouping that is thoughtfully and purposefully planned to meet developing needs.  (Students may work individually, with partners, in small groups, or as a whole class.  The groups change along with the learning needs.)   Differentiation is not the ongoing tracking of set groups of students with similar ability levels.  (The Eagles and The Buzzards – together forever.)

Differentiation is students on varying learning paths striving to achieve common learning goals.  The teacher uses a variety of instructional strategies according to the students’ readiness and interests (examples:  varied tasks, tiered assignments, interest groups and centers, independent studies, flexible groups, open-ended assignments and assessments).  Differentiation is not the same plan for every child – just a little less for those who may struggle and a little more for those who may need enrichment.

Differentiation is the flexibility to refine and scaffold instruction to meet the individual needs of unique learners.  Differentiation is not following the same schedule and delivering the same content for all learners.

Differentiation is using assessment information to refine teaching, plan new goals and strategies, and work to increase individual student growth and understanding.  Differentiation is not using assessment information to label students, continue the same processes and procedures, and push on hoping for different results.

Differentiation is a thoughtful and purposeful philosophy that helps teachers to meet the individual needs of students.  Differentiation is not just another fad or educational buzz word.

“If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” – Ignacio Estrada